Beer: Ratings & Reviews

Reviews by farrago:

Pours an unassuming half finger of pure white foam, even surface, fairly dense weave, good retention given it doesn’t start from much, the lacing has super stickiness, forms solid rings around the glass sides. Mild filminess to the deep golden hue, the bubbles are tiny but fill the glass from side to side, only the merest yellowing at the rims, looks like it wants to be taken seriously. While the nose has a sweeter base in orange and grapefruit citrus, it leaps at you with leafy herbaceous matter, pepper and biscuit, some black tea leaf, it’s fruity with peach, apricot, pineapple notes but never seems sweet nor juicy, minerally, what it may lack in complexity it more than makes up for with raw power. In the mouth it’s full-bodied, quite dry with a tacky, sticky mouth feel. The pink and white grapefruit, blood orange citrus more zest than pulp, any pine sap or florality no match for the peppery to minerally bite and crisp leafy earthiness, some tar or charcoal accents mixed in. The papaya, pineapple, nectarine fruit fights like the dickens but does not reach the finish line, adding to its overall bitterness. The carbonation is taut and keeps the rhythm up tempo. Not particularly longlasting at the end, can’t call it a casual sipper but clean and direct enough to serve well as a food beer.

I'm very impressed with the HOTHS series of IPA's. Pours a clean golden hue into a pint glass with only a modest bit of lacing and foam. Beautiful aroma of mango, citrus and bread malt. Very mild hops flavor without much bittering. Lots of citrus and tropical essence on the tongue with just enough malt middle to balance it out. Soft, creamy mouthfeel is reminiscent of a very fine cream ale with low carbonation by IPA standards. Completely clean aftertaste with no lingering flavors would lend well to food and repeated glasses. Overall, very drinkable and a welcome beer on a warm Carribean day.